Struggling Capuano designated for assignment

By Adam Lewis / MLB.com

SEATTLE -- The Red Sox designated left-handed reliever Chris Capuano for assignment on Wednesday when the club activated pitcher Clay Buchholz from the 15-day disabled list to start the series finale against the Mariners at Safeco Field.

Boston had to clear space on its 25-man roster for Buchholz to return to the rotation.

Manager John Farrell said making the move was "extremely tough." Capuano grew up in Springfield, Mass., and has had a lifelong affection for the Red Sox.

"When you consider his veteran presence, as talented as he is, the success he had early on with us, and all that he represents about the game and just a quality individual. ... Unfortunately, we had to create the spot for Clay and felt like this was the move to make at the time," Farrell said.

Capuano, 35, allowed five runs on six hits over 2 1/3 innings in Monday's 12-3 loss to Seattle. He was 1-1 with a 4.55 ERA in 28 relief appearances for the Sox this season after the club signed him as a free agent in February. Capuano didn't yield a run in his first 12 appearances, a span of 15 innings, but since May 1, he was 0-1 with 8.31 ERA in 17 games.

Meanwhile, Buchholz was just 2-4 with a 7.02 ERA in 10 starts before getting placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hyperextended left knee in late May. In two subsequent rehab starts with Triple-A Pawtucket, he went 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA in 10 2/3 innings.

Holt worthy of All-Star consideration

SEATTLE -- Leadoff hitter Brock Holt has emerged as a candidate to make the American League All-Star team after being recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on May 17.

It just might be tough figuring out what position he could fill.

Holt has played five spots -- right field, left field, center field, first base and third base -- this season. Since he began hitting leadoff on May 23, he leads the Major Leagues with 45 hits. Entering Wednesday, his .320 batting average led all rookies who have at least 150 plate appearances, and he's hitting .322 as Boston's leadoff man.

On Tuesday, he accounted for all of Boston's runs in an 8-2 loss, going 2-for-5 with a double and a two-run homer.

Victorino's rehab stint put on hold with sore back

SEATTLE -- The Red Sox had hoped ailing outfielder Shane Victorino could return to the lineup Friday when they begin a three-game series on the road against the Yankees.

However, that possibility was nixed Wednesday when manager John Farrell announced that Victorino, who's been on the 15-day disabled list since May 24 with a hamstring injury, wasn't in the lineup for Triple-A Pawtucket because of pain in his lower back.

"He's got some discomfort in the low back area that's going to keep him down for a couple of days," Farrell said. "So that's delayed his return to us. We don't have a timeframe for that."

Victorino played six innings for Pawtucket on Tuesday and went 0-for-4 before feeling stiffness. Despite the Red Sox designating Chris Capuano for assignment on Wednesday, the club still has an unbalanced roster, with 13 pitchers and 12 position players.

That makes the Victorino news more disheartening for Farrell.

"We'd like to think there can be a right-handed-hitter who could balance things out," Farrell said. "That's why Shane's return to us fit for a number of reasons: One, the player he is, but just the balance of right-, left-handed. We'll see what options are available to fit that."

Schilling says cancer in remission

SEATTLE -- Former Red Sox pitcher and current ESPN analyst Curt Schilling used his Twitter account Wednesday to announce that his cancer is in remission.

Schilling, 47, spent the final four years of his Major League career in Boston, helping the Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and '07. In February, he released a statement through ESPN announcing the cancer but didn't specify what type before taking a leave of absence from the network.

A six-time All-Star, Schilling posted a 216-146 record and 3.46 ERA during a 20-year career. With the Diamondbacks in 2001, he earned co-World Series MVP honors alongside pitcher Randy Johnson.

Schilling was at Fenway Park on May 28 for a pregame ceremony to honor members of the 2004 World Series champions. Red Sox manager John Farrell has been in contact with the Schilling while he's undergone treatment.

"I had a chance to sit down and talk with him during the '04 celebration," Farrell said. "Thankfully, he's been in maybe the best medical hands that he could be to treat it. Honestly, I'm not surprised he would beat it, given his tenacity in and just his strength and personal will power."

Worth noting

• Farrell said right-hander Brandon Workman will start Friday at Yankee Stadium when Boston begins the final leg of its 10-game road trip. Lefty John Lester will go Saturday and right-hander John Lester start Sunday.

• Farrell reiterated that lefty Felix Doubront will remain in the bullpen over the weekend, though he is scheduled to start when the Sox host the Cubs next week at Fenway Park.

Adam Lewis is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.